First published in 1990, Royal Mistresses provides an innovative way of looking at the development of British monarchy, and at the same time investigates the relationship between sex and power. Charles Carlton focuses not so much on the amorous activities of the mistresses of British monarchs as on their influences on those monarchs and on society at large. Ranging from the early medieval period to the late 1990s, he shows that a monarch's illicit sexual life sheds light on his character and reign. It is no coincidence that Henry I, Charles II, and Edward VII, who were successful with their mistresses were also successful in their reigns, while the divorced John and the lovelorn Edward VIII failed Not surprisingly, the affairs of the sovereign's heart have very often become the affairs of state. This book will be of interest to students of history and literature.

First published in 1995, Charles I is a psychological portrait of the 'monarch of the Civil Wars,' Charles I. Challenging conventional interpretations of the king, as well as questioning orthodox historical assumptions concerning the origins and development of the Civil Wars, the book establishes itself as a definitive biography. Addressing and analysing the furious historiographical debates which have surrounded the period, Carlton offers a fresh and lucid perspective. This book will be of interest to students of literature and history.

First published in 1986, Royal Childhoods shows how the early years of Britain's kings and queen have coloured their later lives. Combining skills of a professional historian with a knowledge of psychology, the author links the study of childhood to known pattern of events. His book makes the distant figures of royalty more comprehensible as individuals. With great insight into the influence of childhood experience, he covers the whole span of British monarchy from William the Conqueror to the Prince of Wales. This book will be of interest to students of history, literature and psychology.

First published in 1987, Archbishop William Laud shows how Laud dragged the English Church, and with it English society, towards a new and radical version of Anglicanism. Carlton presents Laud in the context of his times, showing how closely his personal life and character were woven into his political and religious career. By using Laud's personal papers, his letters and diary, Carlton draws a psychological profile of this most insecure man. He analyses Laud's dreams, revealing that both awake and asleep the archbishop was haunted by some guilty secret, obsessed with details, bedevilled by enemies and conspiracies, while being both ashamed and proud of his own humble origins. The tensions between Laud's private and public worlds made him seem cruel, thus turning him into the perfect scapegoat for the failure of the king's policies. This book will be of interest to students of history, literature and psychology.

"War is the trade of kings" John Dryden. War and monarchy are two of the most important and resonant topics in British History. This exciting new book explores the role that kings and queens have played in war, and how war has shaped the monarchy. Aimed explicitly at the general reader, the book delves into the truth behind the myths, and uncovers some fascinating facts about our iconic soldier kings and queens.

Contents:
1. The Actualities of War 2. The Drum's Discordant Sound 3. A sight - the saddest that eyes can see 4. Naming the Parts 5. A Soldier's Life is Terrible Hard 6. The Epitome of War 7.The Miserable Affects of War 8. Tradesman of Killing ... Managers of Violence 9. To Slay or be Slain 10. When the hurly-burly's done 11 More to Spoil Than To Serve 12. I don't want to go to war 13. Then we started all over again 14. Does it matter?

First Published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

The Shelf2Life Catholic Studies Collection is a unique collection of pre-1923 titles focusing on the history, culture and practice of Catholicism. From antique editions of traditional prayers, accounts of important church events and biographies of adherents, to descriptions of specific Roman Catholic missions and dioceses, this collection provides an opportunity to rediscover the culture and experience of Roman Catholicism around the turn of the 20th century and earlier. By presenting these volumes scanned from their original form, historians, religious scholars and all those interested can now glimpse the beauty and elegance of the original illustrations and typesetting in these volumes, as well as explore the views and visions expressed in these writings. The Roman Catholic Church is a modern institution with a long and interesting history, and the Catholic Studies Collection provides an important tool to understanding the Church's spirit, history and culture into the early 20th century.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.